Zinedine Zidane has admitted he won’t be the Real Madrid manager in ten years time, despite his achievements as a player.

After a successful start to life in the dugout, the Frenchman is suffering a rough patch having fallen 16 points behind league-leaders and arch-rivals Barcelona.

Pressure is mounting on the Madrid legend having won just nine of 17 league games so far this season.

However, having already brought the club two Champions League titles and a La Liga crown, the 45-year-old has more than earned time to turn things around.

Speaking to France Football after being named French coach of the year, he said: “Zinedine Zidane isn’t a player at Real Madrid anymore. That Zidane no longer exists.

“Now it’s down to Zinedine Zidane the coach to carve out a career. I’m not protected by what I’ve done as a player at this club. I know I won’t stay [in the job] for 10 years.”

Madrid sit fourth in the table and have failed to win three of their last four league games.

Despite the pressure, though, Zidane insists he’s not affected by the speculation surrounding his future.

“External pressure doesn’t affect me. I’ve wrapped a shield around myself; nothing can bother me,” he said. “I have many responsibilities but when I get home, I switch off. I know that many coaches aren’t able to take their minds off the job, but I do have that ability.”

Real lost further ground on Barca as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Celta Vigo on Sunday and Zidane now faces testing clash with sixth-placed Villarreal on Saturday.